#1 Coalmine, Winterthur

This intimate café was once a coal cellar. But it’s a world of culture that greets anyone coming down into it today. It’s a venue for regular readings and discussions, along with highly watchable documentaries and photography exhibitions. The real eye-catcher inside, though, is the wall that’s covered from floor to ceiling with books, most of them first editions from the Suhrkamp publishing house. So I take out the “1001 Afternoons in New York," sip on my coffee and journey away... coalmine.ch

#2 Kafka am Strand, Basel

Here’s a place to which early-morning regulars come for coffee, croissants and a quiet read of the news. The café takes its name from a cult Japanese novel. It’s part of Basel’s Literaturhaus, and stays open longer when the house is holding an event. As well as readings, the Literaturhaus offers various special happenings such as an evening devoted to Kurdish literature, and the café is often a hive of discussion and debate. literaturhaus-basel.ch/cafe-kafka

#3 Le Café littéraire, Vevey

“Savoir vivre” in hostelry form: That’s Vevey’s Café littéraire. Located on the town’s waterside promenade with lake and mountain views, the place is lovingly appointed in shabby chic style. The sun beams through its large windows, fresh flowers adorn the tables, there’s a cosy sofa corner, and books and newspapers abound. Outside on the terrace, guests can enjoy their coffee al fresco, too. And the evenings bring readings, poetry slams and further cultural events. lecafelitteraire.ch

#4 Café Slatkine, Geneva

In the heart of historic Carouge with its ancient houses and narrow lanes: That’s where you’ll find the Café Slatkine. The name, proudly displayed in gold lettering, comes from the bookshop that was founded on the spot in 1918 and is now a café, too. The interior manages to be cosy and elegant alike. And opposite the bookshelves, the bar has an equally impressive selection – of teas and fine whiskies in particular. A place where Hemingway would have felt right at home! cafeslatkine.ch

#5 Sphères, Zurich

Sphères in Zurich’s former industrial quarter is a bar and bookshop in one. Outside, students and businessfolk lounge in lively discussion over an evening beer; inside it’s all calm, with people sitting, reading and drinking coffee among the bookshelves. There’s a half-outdoor conservatory, too, full of plants and colourful garden tables, where sparrows twitter in the background as the visitors browse their books. spheres.cc

#6 Kaffeehaus, St. Gallen

A real coffee house ambience and the aroma of roasted beans: That’s what hits you when you enter this café with its high ceilings. With the product roasted on the premises, the coffee is phenomenally good. The in-house library ex-tends not only to books but also to various newspapers and magazines. The whole place draws its inspiration from the coffee houses of Buenos Aires; and it’s a classy haven of relaxation, dialogue and (coffee) culture. kaffeehaus.sg